2017 Nissan Leaf Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Leaf, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical416.7%
- Airbags416.7%
- Fuel system312.5%
- Powertrain (other)312.5%
- Visibility28.3%
- Body & structure28.3%
- Brakes28.3%
- Driver assistance28.3%
- Seat belts14.2%
- Engine14.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The manufacturer-installed 40kWh replacement battery has suffered an internal high-voltage isolation short to the vehicle chassis (Codes P0AA6/P31E7), creating an immediate fire and shock hazard. The component failed just 2 years after installation in 2024. Nissan is refusing to repair this severe safety defect because the vehicle's original body frame is past its warranty window.
HELLO! I HAVE MY 2017 NISSAN LEAF SV WITH 30KWH BATTERY IN AT NISSAN OF TROY, MAINLY DUE TO TWO PROBLEMS. THIS IS A 2017 NISSAN LEAF WITH 30KWH BATTE HELLO! I HAVE MY 2017 NISSAN LEAF SV WITH 30KWH BATTERY IN AT NISSAN OF TROY, MAINLY DUE TO TWO PROBLEMS. THIS IS A 2017 NISSAN LEAF WITH 30KWH BATTERY WITH A DC-FC FAST CHARGE PLUG THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY ROUGHLY 15X FASTER THAN 6.6K LEVEL2/3 CHARGERS. THE KEY TWO PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: A. DCFC FAILS TO CHARGE ON 2017 NISSAN LEAF AND CAUSES J1772 TO BE UNABLE TO CHARGE IT ANYMORE SUBSEQUENTLY GETTING A CHARGE IN A PINCH LEADS TO REALLY NEEDING A TOW TRUCK!! B. THE RANGE ON THE BATTERY DROPS DRASTICALLY ON A REGULAR DAY TO DAY DRIVE... THE OTHER DAY I LEFT FOR A 4.5MILE TRIP WITH 17MILES ON GOM AND BY TIME I DROVE 2 MILES RANGE WENT DOWN TO 11MILES. BEFORE I WAS 1/2 WAY LOW BATTERY INDICATOR WENT OFF AND ~1.5MILES TO HOME VERY LOW BATTERY KICKS IN. - I BELIEVE THE CAR GOM ALWAYS OVER ESTIMATES THE RANGE TO WHAT I'M ABLE TO DRIVE. IT CAN NEVER DRIVE UP TO THE SUGGESTED RANGE SO I MUST HAVE EITHER A BAD BATTERY OR A FAULTY BATTERY MANAGEMENT MODULE OF SOME SORTS ???
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
My son and I were in a major crash on a freeway, we were hit by a semi-truck, sent into a spin, hit by another vehicle and stopped by slamming into freeway guardrail. The car was totaled. My son was driving and airbags on the drivers side all deployed but nothing deployed on the passenger side at all.
Airbag light flashing. Airbag might not deploy in event of accident. Nissan service stated "code B00A0 triggered in SRS control unit. Failure within OCS circuit. Recommends replacement of OCS SENSORS and Control Unit." Stated my VIN is not included in all the other OCS recalls.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
HELLO! I HAVE MY 2017 NISSAN LEAF SV WITH 30KWH BATTERY IN AT NISSAN OF TROY, MAINLY DUE TO TWO PROBLEMS. THIS IS A 2017 NISSAN LEAF WITH 30KWH BATTE HELLO! I HAVE MY 2017 NISSAN LEAF SV WITH 30KWH BATTERY IN AT NISSAN OF TROY, MAINLY DUE TO TWO PROBLEMS. THIS IS A 2017 NISSAN LEAF WITH 30KWH BATTERY WITH A DC-FC FAST CHARGE PLUG THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY ROUGHLY 15X FASTER THAN 6.6K LEVEL2/3 CHARGERS. THE KEY TWO PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: A. DCFC FAILS TO CHARGE ON 2017 NISSAN LEAF AND CAUSES J1772 TO BE UNABLE TO CHARGE IT ANYMORE SUBSEQUENTLY GETTING A CHARGE IN A PINCH LEADS TO REALLY NEEDING A TOW TRUCK!! B. THE RANGE ON THE BATTERY DROPS DRASTICALLY ON A REGULAR DAY TO DAY DRIVE... THE OTHER DAY I LEFT FOR A 4.5MILE TRIP WITH 17MILES ON GOM AND BY TIME I DROVE 2 MILES RANGE WENT DOWN TO 11MILES. BEFORE I WAS 1/2 WAY LOW BATTERY INDICATOR WENT OFF AND ~1.5MILES TO HOME VERY LOW BATTERY KICKS IN. - I BELIEVE THE CAR GOM ALWAYS OVER ESTIMATES THE RANGE TO WHAT I'M ABLE TO DRIVE. IT CAN NEVER DRIVE UP TO THE SUGGESTED RANGE SO I MUST HAVE EITHER A BAD BATTERY OR A FAULTY BATTERY MANAGEMENT MODULE OF SOME SORTS ???
A SUDDEN LOSS OF PROPULSION WITH OUT AN AUDIBLE WARNING. THE VEHICLE OPERATES AT CREEP SPEED. I NOTICE IT BECAUSE THE CAN NOT ACCELERATE. A MOMENT OF CONFUSION SETS IN IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. A TELL TALE LIGHT OF A TURTLE COMES ON. I HAVE TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC TO PULL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A CONCERN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE TELL TALE LIGHT GOES AWAY AFTER CYCLING THE POWER BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND STARTING IT ALL OVER. IT GIVES ME THE IMPRESSION THAT THE TROUBLE WENT AWAY. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED ONCE A YEAR. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. IT IS NOW HAPPENING ONCE A WEEK IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. SOMEONE CAN GET HURT IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. I BELIEVE THE WARNING LIGHT SHOULD REMAIN ON UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED. I NOTICED THE ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE CLIMATE IS HOT AND I AM DRIVING WITH THE AC ON. THE BATTERY TEMPERATURE IS IN THE SAFE ZONE. NISSAN DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. I TOOK A PICTURE OF IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The manufacturer-installed 40kWh replacement battery has suffered an internal high-voltage isolation short to the vehicle chassis (Codes P0AA6/P31E7), creating an immediate fire and shock hazard. The component failed just 2 years after installation in 2024. Nissan is refusing to repair this severe safety defect because the vehicle's original body frame is past its warranty window.
The reduction gear/transaxle failing. Metal in fluid leads to increased noise. Drivetrain will eventually fail and unsafe to drive. Case #56669999 was filed with Nissan Consumer Affairs and they have denied assistance for out of warranty repair. While the car is outside the number of years in the warranty, at 37K miles it is still well within the 60K mileage warranty. A drivetrain should not fail with such low mileage despite years in service.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
My vehicle (VIN [XXX] )remains listed as subject to a recall on the NHTSA website even though the remedy/repair was executed on April 3, 2023 by an authorized dealer/service center: Nissan of Downtown LA. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
WHEN TURNING LEFT THE VISIBILITY IS VERY POOR FOR A 5' 1" DRIVER. THE DOUBLE "A" PILLAR AND LARGE SIDE VIEW MIRROR BLOCK THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VISIBILITY ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS ON A LEAF BLOG WEBSITE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND AN OLD LADY FELL BECAUSE THE LEAF DRIVER DID NOT SEE THE PEDESTRIAN SOON ENOUGH DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY ON A CLEAR DAY AROUND NOON. THE LEAF HAD STOPPED WAITING FOR 3 VEHICLES TO PASS BEFORE MAKING THE LEFT TURN AT A SLOW SPEED BUT THE LARGE DOUBLE "A" PILLAR AND LARGE SIDE MIRROR BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VIEW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
My son and I were in a major crash on a freeway, we were hit by a semi-truck, sent into a spin, hit by another vehicle and stopped by slamming into freeway guardrail. The car was totaled. My son was driving and airbags on the drivers side all deployed but nothing deployed on the passenger side at all.
THIS IS A NEW CAR LESS THAN 4 WEEKS OLD. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR HATCH NOT CLOSING PROPERLY DUE TO POOR ALIGNMENT DURING ASSEMBLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE HATCH TO CLOSE AND LATCH PROPERLY AND YOU HAVE TO REALLY SLAM IT. EVEN WHEN YOU THINK IT IS CLOSED, IT CAN POP OPEN WHEN DRIVING, PARTICULARLY ON A BUMPY OR POTHOLED ROAD. IT HAS YET TO OPEN FULLY, BUT IT IS VERY UNNERVING ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO GET FIXED, BUT THEY SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2017'S.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
7/21/22 -we left our property, brakes working fine, drove 1/2 mile, no brakes. Dash lights lit up, brake, abs, ! And anti skid. Finally jammed parking brake and regular brakes on, creating a grinding noise and car stopped. 7/22/22-Towed car to mechanic in Sonora, Ca…he said brakes working now. 7/23/22- drove car to Central Valley Nissan. New intelligent brake control unit was installed. Car has less than 36,000 miles on it. This part should not have failed. Part is available for examination. 7/23/22-I called Nissan Consumer Affairs to discuss the issue with the part, they said the car was no longer under warranty, so to bad, so sad.
BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEEDS. IN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, TWICE THE CAR FAILED TO STOP WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. I WAS GOING AT AROUND 20-25 MPH IN BOTH THE CASES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
7/21/22 -we left our property, brakes working fine, drove 1/2 mile, no brakes. Dash lights lit up, brake, abs, ! And anti skid. Finally jammed parking brake and regular brakes on, creating a grinding noise and car stopped. 7/22/22-Towed car to mechanic in Sonora, Ca…he said brakes working now. 7/23/22- drove car to Central Valley Nissan. New intelligent brake control unit was installed. Car has less than 36,000 miles on it. This part should not have failed. Part is available for examination. 7/23/22-I called Nissan Consumer Affairs to discuss the issue with the part, they said the car was no longer under warranty, so to bad, so sad.
I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. WHEN I WAS ON THE 4TH FLOOR I FOUND A SPOT, MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN, AND AS I SLOWLY TURNED INTO THE SPOT I TOOK MY FOOT OF OF THE ACCELERATOR TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CAUSED MORE THAN $16,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I HAVE LEASED THIS CAR SINCE AUG, 2017. BEFORE THAT I LEASED A 2015 NISSAN LEAF AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CARE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT(BEHIND THE DRIVER) CAN NOT PULL OUT SMOOTHLY, IT IS EASY TO STUCK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The manufacturer-installed 40kWh replacement battery has suffered an internal high-voltage isolation short to the vehicle chassis (Codes P0AA6/P31E7), creating an immediate fire and shock hazard. The component failed just 2 years after installation in 2024. Nissan is refusing to repair this severe safety defect because the vehicle's original body frame is past its warranty window.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .